London Marathon Runner Weather Discussion

Training Advice/Discussion Marathon

Abbott WMM 6 Star Finisher, all sub-3, average 2:49 time

2 years ago 09/27/2021 1:36pm EDT

Just looking at the weather forecast for London Marathon (Sunday October 3) as I will be racing this Sunday. Weather.com forecasts a high of 58 and low of 50 degrees F with 80% chance of rain with 0.25 inches of rainfall predicted and winds from SSW at 10-15 mph. How will this wind and rain affect marathon runners' performances? I am from southern California where we rarely have rainy weather. Any advice on how to prepare for this weather would be appreciated as well. I have rain shoe covers and a rain poncho and also a throwaway sweatjacket, sweatpants, gloves, and arm sleeves.

I ran in the 2018 Boston marathon so this weather seems to be much better than that but I also don't think this is optimal marathon racing weather (2018 NYC marathon was pretty much ideal weather for me).

2 years ago 09/27/2021 1:38pm EDT

re: Bruin1996

Just get your shoes wet. If you try to avoid the water and your shoes from getting wet, you’ll be dodging it all day. Just have extra shoes/slippers for when you are done and change it.

2 years ago 09/27/2021 2:16pm EDT

re: Bruin1996

Have dry clothes in your kit bag so you can change after the race.

The wind won't be much of a factor,the course is well protected due to buildings,also the crowd will help protect and lastly the volume of runners around.

Abbott WMM 6 Star Finisher, all sub-3, average 2:49 time

2 years ago 09/27/2021 3:07pm EDT

re: Birkoboy

Thanks for the advice. I definitely will have some warm clothes and fresh shoes to change to in the kitbag. Also good to hear the wind won’t have such a big effect on the race. So you are saying these weather conditions are good enough to chase a PR if I have the fitness?

2 years ago 09/27/2021 4:27pm EDT

re: Bruin1996

I'm also running. Don't worry about the weather yet. I've checked three different sites (Met office, BBC, Dark Sky) and they all have massively different rain forecasts. UK weather is really changeable. The temperature forecast looks good for running, that should be reliable about now. For the rain and wind, I'd wait until Friday to get a reliable forecast

Abbott WMM 6 Star Finisher, all sub-3, average 2:49 time

2 years ago 09/27/2021 4:48pm EDT

re: High hopes

Thanks for the information. Please post any updates about the weather as we get closer to the marathon.

2 years ago 09/27/2021 6:21pm EDT

re: Bruin1996

50°F and raining is great marathon running weather. No need to worry about overheating, being as a major limiting factor for many runners in the marathon. As for the wind, I would look at the course map to figure out at what points you are getting a headwind, tailwind or crosswind. If you are faced with a headwind you are going to run slower but tucking behind other runners would help to significantly reduce slow-down. The wind direction on the course, the temperature during the race, and your warm-up prior to the race as well as your tendency to run hot/cold are factors to consider what you should wear during the race. I would at least wear a poncho prior to the race. If you run cold, it may be a good idea to wear the arm sleeves and gloves during the race and if you get hot you can always toss them.

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